The Best Bikes For Heavy Riders: What (And Why) To Buy / Avoid In 2023

Last updated: October 9th, 2023

As a heavier rider, it can be tough to find a bicycle that gives you confidence.

Maybe the salesperson at your local bike shop gets a little awkward when you ask for recommendations, as if they’d never seen bigger folks ride before.

Maybe you’re getting frustrated with wading through questionable “reviews” that proclaim some random Amazon model to be “the best.”

Or maybe you’ve already got a bike sitting in the garage, ready to roll, and you want to know whether it’s really up for your current weight.

The good news is that great bikes for heavy people are really just…great bikes in general. There are a few special considerations that we’ll discuss later, but odds are you have more choices and fewer limitations than you think.

Top hybrid for the heaviest riders
Zize Time Of Your Life XG
Top cargo bike for heavy riders
Yuba Kombi
Top city/transportation pick for heavy riders
WorkCycles Fr8

Before diving in, what exactly makes a bike good for heavy riders?

Broadly speaking, you’ll want to look for:

  • A steel or aluminum frame
  • Upright posture
  • 32- or 36-spoke wheels (ideally 27.5″ or smaller)
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • A weight capacity that leaves room for cargo and accessories.

This generally means choosing a city, cruiser, touring, hybrid, or cargo bike.

Mountain bikes are often recommended, but I advise against mountain bikes unless you’re actually mountain biking. This may conflict with advice you’ll read elsewhere, so I recommend reading through for some important context and guidelines that are often overlooked.

Bike options for riders around 300 lbs

The best bikes for 300-lb riders are more or less the best for everyone else, too. Lightweight road bikes and most (not all) folding bikes are generally out of the question, but nearly all other styles are fair game.

For instance, mainstream hybrids like the Trek FX and Specialized Cirrus among the best affordable hybrids for riders of any size, and support total combined weight of 300 lbs.

The same goes for the more upright Trek Verve, Specialized Roll, and my personal favorite, the Norco Scene.

You can also opt for a classic beach cruiser like the Electra Townie, a Dutch bike from the likes of WorkCycles or Gazelle (note: cruisers are different from Dutch bikes despite some resemblance), or essentially all mountain bikes on the market. Even most alloy road bikes are fair game—or at least not too much of a stretch—if you find their posture bearable.

In addition, my round-ups of the best value city/commuter bikes and even the lightest hybrids have some terrific picks for transportation and performance, respectively.

Long story short: if you’re modestly over 300 lbs, my personal opinion is that you don’t need to worry about finding a bike designed specifically for overweight riders. If you have your shop keep the wheels and bearings in tip-top shape, then serious problems are unlikely.

Yes, that conflicts with manufacturer guidance—more on this below—but stated weight limits are generally nowhere near a breaking point. And the gentler you ride, the more leeway you have.

Recommended bikes for 400 lbs & above

“Regular” bikes will provide far more options at a far lower cost, generally speaking.

But if you’re in the realm of 400 lbs or even above, then certain bikes will give you more peace of mind—or at least a valid warranty. Below are some of the best for a variety of uses and budgets.

Top hybrid for the heaviest riders
Zize Time Of Your Life XG

Among three similar models from Zize, the Time Of Your Life XG stands out for comfortably upright posture. The price is hard to swallow, but the weight limit may be the highest for any hybrid today.

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Zize makes three hybrid-style models with a weight limit of 550 lbs:

  • For more laid-back riding and cruising, the Time Of Your Life XG gives delightfully upright posture (something riders of all sizes should consider), and uses a “crank-forward” design for a stable, comfortable reach to the ground. It uses a 9-speed Shimano Altus derailleur for moderate climbs.
  • For dirt and gravel riding, the top-of-the-line Yonder offers confidence-inspiring traction with 3″ knobby tires plus crisp shifting and wide-range gearing from a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain.
  • For sporty riding on pavement, the A New Leaf XG is quicker and more efficient thanks to 2.1″ tires, and its 9-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain will help you conquer modest hills.

I’d pick the Time Of Your Life XG simply for its uprightness. But all in all, it’s a tie: these three are similar in quality and price, but suited to slightly different purposes.

However, this “victory” comes with a big caveat.

Zize bikes win by default because they’re the only hybrid-style bikes for riders around 500 lbs.

In terms of value, they’re near the bottom.

With price tags approaching an eye-watering $3,000, I’d expect to see top-tier components throughout. Instead, while Deore/Altus derailleurs and Clark hydraulic discs are perfectly solid parts I’ve happily ridden…they’re the norm on bikes that retail for a third as much.

Zize sells to a narrow market segment, so I assume bulk pricing and purchasing power are out of the question. They also build bikes more or less to order, so inventory management is another constraint.

But Zize doesn’t sell a collection of parts. Others do the same for a fraction of the price. By putting cargo-bike weight capacity in a hybrid-bike form, they sell an entry point into an active lifestyle that many customers have never been able to experience.

If you don’t need that degree of weight capacity, then literally every other option on the list is a better deal—especially the one I’ll mention next.

But if you do, and if you have the budget, then it may pay off on a whole other level.

Value pick for heavy riders
Worksman Industrial Newsboy/Newsgirl

Even with several heavyweight upgrades, the Worksman Industrial Newsboy (step-over) and Newsgirl (step-through) are still the best deals for riders who need a super-burly bike.

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Worksman is a relatively obscure company that offers incredibly strong American-made bicycles at competitive prices.

For instance, their amusingly named Industrial Newsgirl (irritatingly named for its step-through frame) starts around $455 with a weight limit of 275 lbs. The Industrial Newsboy is a step-over variation of the same thing…but for normal use, I’ll take the step-through every time.

And here’s where get its good: for about $300 in wheel and brake upgrades (around $750 all-in), both will support up to 500 lbs. Worksman notes that they “actually put weight capacities far less than the true capabilities of the cycles.” So, no promises, but it may even outdo the far pricier Zize models. The same goes for the rest of their line, which includes slightly lighter bikes in more typical cruiser styles.

(By the way, it seems the Zize Supersize Newsboy/Newsgirl is the Worksman Industrial Newsboy/Newsgirl—with an extra $300–$400 tacked on.)

The only catch is you’re stuck with a rear coaster brake. Their low maintenance is nice, but their performance is terrible. It’s no accident that they’re basically relegated to beach cruisers and children’s bikes. The front drum brake option (part of the aforementioned upgrades) is essential, and likely sufficient, since the front has the vast majority of braking power anyhow. Still, a matching rear drum brake would have been a nice touch.

Top city/transportation pick for heavy riders
WorkCycles Fr8

WorkCycles remains the definitive brand for high-end Dutch bikes. Their Fr8 carries a serious premium for equally serious quality, and is arguably the most practical city bike money can bike.

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WorkCycles is a definitive Dutch bike brand that frequently ships to the US.

While all their models are beefy and overbuilt to last generations, the Fr8 (that’s “freight”) has the greatest weight limit—technically not specified, but at least 240 lbs of cargo alone in addition to a large adult rider. I’d speculate that 400 lbs combined weight is no problem, and even 500 lbs is doable.

The bolt-upright posture is comfortable for literally everyone, albeit not the most efficient. But if just getting out is priority number one, then it matters more than you simply enjoy the ride. And, having had the privilege of a WorkCycles test ride, I can’t think of a more accessible (or useful) bike to own.

Most of the spec options cost in the mid- to high-$2,000 range shipped from Amsterdam. That’s hardly cheap, but it includes top-notch Shimano hub or disc brakes and Shimano or Enviolo hub gears, which mean essentially no daily maintenance.

So, why didn’t I recommend a Fr8 (or other WorkCycles model) right off the bat?

Well, at approximately 60 lbs, it’s heavier than many electric bikes. WorkCycles does sell electric assist kits, but that adds to an already high cost. Moreover, its long wheelbase can be difficult to maneuver, so they need to be stored outdoors or in a garage.

And if you’re one of the few who truly needs 500+ lbs of capacity, then Zize’s huge weight limit beats out WorkCycles’ better value.

Top cargo bike for heavy riders
Yuba Kombi

The Yuba Kombi is a solid value on unsurpassed practicality and an unexpectedly fun ride. Sturdy enough for a very big rider and cargo, it's also a great way to cut back on car use.

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Your weight alone doesn’t require a cargo bike. But as I’ll discuss later, they’re incredibly practical for other reasons: chief among which is, obviously, getting things and (other) people from A to B.

And so, to wrap this section up, I propose something unorthodox: the Yuba Kombi.

Its 24″ x 2.4″ wheels are steady under a load, nimble at low speed, and highly resistant to pinch flats. The 1×9 Shimano Altus derailleur is fine for rolling hills, and the Tektro mechanical disc brakes are decent and consistent, if not very powerful, once they’re well adjusted and bedded in.

There’s also easy one-size-fits-all sizing, abundant accessories, and a combined total weight limit of 440 lbs.

Storage is fairly easy, since smaller wheels keep the overall wheelbase in check, and the bike can actually store upright on its rear wheel and rear rack.

That’s a compelling package for just a bit over one grand, and one of the most practical mid-priced options around. It lacks the weather-proof drivetrain of a proper Dutch cargo bike, but it’s also less than half the price.

With that in mind, I’d argue the Kombi is one of the best bike values for utilitarian riders at 90 lbs, 390 lbs, or anywhere in between.

What about custom bikes for big riders?

If you can live with the WorkCycles or Zize price range, but want something significantly different—and, let’s be real, cooler—then custom options are worth exploring. Here’s how I’d go about it:

  1. Pick a steel touring, off-road touring/bikepack, or MTB frame with 26″ or 27.5″ wheels. Surly is a terrific brand to start with. (There are many others, but Surly’s distributed by industry giant QBP, so they’re easier to order through a local bike shop.)
  2. Weight limits aren’t always published with frame + fork sets, so confirm with the manufacturer.
  3. Enlist your local shop to hand-build a set of burly, 36-hole wheels that’ll take an absolute pounding.
  4. Pick some mid-range hydraulic disc brakes, like the terrific Shimano MT200.
  5. Spend the money for a name-brand headset (Chris King is arguably the grail) that withstands almost anything and is easy to care for.
  6. Have fun!

Custom builds are obviously not the cheapest way. But if you’re well over 300 lbs (yet below 450-ish), they compare surprisingly well to a lot of ready-made choices.

Is it really OK to ride a bike at my weight?

Medically, that’s between you and your doctor. But mechanically, that’s a definite “yes”! Even though the classic cycling physique is quite lean, the truth is that cycling is absolutely OK, and often ideal, for people of all sizes.

It’s wonderfully low-impact and gentle on everyone’s joints, even if you’re significantly overweight. For those aiming to lose weight, it’s also a great way to shed fat sustainably while improving overall fitness and leg strength.

Even if bike shopping has been frustrating thus far, there’s a lot of upside to sticking it out and finding the right one.

Remember, any bike will let you ride as hard or as gently as you like. Terrain matters, of course, but low initial fitness needn’t keep you from getting out there.

Making sense of bicycle weight limits

Bicycles do have weight limits, but they vary enormously by type, brand, and model. Some are as low as 220 lbs whereas others exceed 500 lbs. If not specified, then 300 lbs is a good rule of thumb. Always check the website or owner’s manual to confirm.

Below are some approximate limits for the rider and cargo combined. This is just a starting point, since specific models will differ.

Bicycle StyleTypical Weight Limit
Folding230–240 lbs
All-carbon road/hybrid with carbon components240 lbs
All-carbon road/hybrid with alloy components275 lbs
Alloy road/hybrid with carbon fork275–300 lbs
Alloy road/hybrid with alloy fork300 lbs
Carbon MTB300 lbs
Alloy MTB300 lbs
Fat-tire MTB300–350 lbs
City bikes (e.g., traditional Dutch)300–400 lbs
Cargo, family & box (bakfiets)400–550 lbs

Metal frames and forks usually handle more weight than carbon weight, but there are exceptions galore. For instance, the all-steel frame Rivendell Sam Hillborne recommends just 220 lbs for the rider alone, which is around the max of most all-carbon bikes.

I can’t advise you to ignore a manufacturer’s stated limit. However, I can attest that many people exceed that limit (sometimes by 50+ lbs) without trouble. Let’s put those limits in context so you can decide for yourself.

Just how strict are these limits?

Weight limits are generally conservative.

For one thing, they allow for a lot of excess force. At least some bumps and obstacles are inevitable, and they can impart a force much larger than the rider’s static weight. For example, a light riders who hops curbs and plows through potholes may be likely to damage the bike than a much heavier rider who simply cruises along. If you’re a very heavy rider who’s less aggressive, then you might subject the bike to less stress than some light but aggressive.

Along those lines, weight limits are usually in the context of riding conditions. If a mountain bike has an official limit of 275 lbs for off-road riding, it’s almost certainly beefier than a road bike with a 300-lb limit for paved riding. It’s like dropping a 15-lb bowling ball on the floor from 3 inches, versus a 12-lb ball from a foot. Neither is a great idea, but the latter will cause more damage despite the lighter ball.

What’s more, weight capacity is largely a warranty and liability issue. Exceeding the weight limit doesn’t mean the bike will break. In fact, from the vast majority of accounts and anecdotes, it almost certainly won’t. But if damage did occur, it probably wouldn’t be covered by the warranty, even if your weight wasn’t the direct cause.

Finally, think about the nature of the risk. I’d be wary of exceeding a folding bike’s weight limit by more than a few pounds, since I’m horrified by the prospect of snapping a hinge in the middle of a bike ride. The same goes for ultra-light racing bikes where everything—from frame to spokes to seatpost—is made of the thinnest possible carbon fiber. As always, your mileage (and risk assessment) may vary.

What bikes should bigger cyclists avoid?

Nothing durable costs less than $500

These days, $500 is on the lower end for any decent bicycle, although it’ll still snag a worthwhile entry-level hybrid bike.

Still, I continue to see $350 or $400 online specials listed as budget picks. I get it; everyone wants to offer a helpful option. But what those lists seldom mention are all the typical caveats of buying extremely cheap bikes on Amazon (and the like).

  • Quality control can be hit and miss. There are plenty of horror stories of bikes arriving damaged in the box, only for the customer to get the run-around for weeks (not to mention the headache of packing and shipping it).
  • You will need to spend $50–$150 on wheel truing and a general tune-up. So much for cost savings! There’s literally no chance that a bike in this price range will arrive with well-laced wheels. You get what you pay for, at best.
  • A high weight limit isn’t sufficient. Everything from drivetrain components to brakes will be bottom-of-the-barrel, which means frequent adjustment at

So, are these even potentially good bikes? Well…no.

But are they worth considering for very limited and gentle use, with eyes wide open to these concerns? Still no.

I recommend that everyone save as little $100–$200 more for a solid bike from a reputable brand, or simply buy used (with advice from a friend, if needed). For heavy riders who need solid build quality and perhaps more frequent mechanical support, there’s no alternative worth my own money.

Folding & ultra-light bike options are limited

Folding bikes and ultra-light racing models generally have the strictest weight limits. As mentioned above, they may also have the highest highest likelihood of catastrophic failures.

Granted, folks on the lighter side of heavy—let’s say 225–275 lbs, give or take—still have choices in this segment. But above that point, options quickly dry up.

Anecdotally, many cyclists north of 300 lbs use carbon fiber bikes without issue. But given the propensity of carbon to crack, not merely bend, I’m not convinced that it’s a good risk-reward trade-off.

There are indeed some folding bikes for heavy people. They’re just not particularly good values, since they have little to commend them besides a high weight capacity. I’ve included some in the round-up section of this article just in case portability is essential…but if possible, you’ll have more and better options with non-folding bikes.

Don’t default to a mountain bike

It’s easy to find usable mountain bikes, but they’re not always appropriate for heavy riders. Plenty of hybrid, city, and other bikes are more practical while still providing a comfortable ride.

True, MTBs aren’t bad for general use, and they’re often recommended in guides like this thanks to their robust weight capacity.

But if you’re riding mostly on pavement or smooth dirt and gravel—you know, not mountain biking—they’re overkill.

  • Wide, knobby tires that make it even harder to get up to speed.
  • A suspension fork (let alone full-suspension bike) adds a few hundred bucks but serves little purpose around town. What’s more, entry-level suspension uses primitive dampening with little room for adjustment, so even off road it performs poorly under above-average weight.
  • Generally, the lack of rack and fender mounts makes it harder to incorporate cycling into your daily routine.
  • Their somewhat forward-leaning riding posture isn’t always comfortable for larger folks.

It should go without saying that if you plan to mountain bike, then buy an MTB. My point is simply that most folks have other purposes, to which other bikes are better suited—regardless of weight.

Skip road bikes with skinny tires

Road bike tires are often less than 30 mm wide. That’s no much air volume, so they require high pressure to avoid pinch flats (i.e., the rim compressing against and slicing the inner tube). Unfortunately, that also means a rougher ride and poorer traction, especially in the rain.

Consequently, I don’t generally recommend a road bike for heavy people, even if the weight limit and riding position are acceptable.

Fat bikes (probably) aren’t a match

It’s reasonable to think that a big rider needs big tires, but a fat-tire bike is too much of a good thing. Those voluminous tires certainly solve the pinch-flat problem, but they create another one: rolling resistance.

All that rubber means a ton of mass to start and keep spinning in the first place. And once up to speed, the size of their contact patch (the area that flattens against the ground) sucks up a lot of your pedal input. If you can imagine what monster-truck tires would do to a Civic’s MPG…you get the idea.

To be clear, they’re optimal for snow and sand. But in any other conditions, they’re an unnecessarily (and discouragingly) inefficient choice.

So what makes a good bike for heavy riders?

Generally speaking, heavier riders will feel at ease on a city bike, cruiser bike, or relatively upright commuter bike. Mountain bikes are also terrific choices if you’re actually riding off-road, but inefficient and pricey if you’re not. On average, all these types of bikes offer the right blend of posture, sturdiness, and value.

Obviously, the stated weight limit deserves consideration. Some manufacturers break it down by riders versus cargo weight, but if not, it’s best to assume the limit includes you and all your stuff.

Many people do ignore bicycle weight limits without trouble, but keep in mind it’ll void the warranty.

That said, the weight limit is just one factor. Several subtler things make all the difference between a bike that’s OK to ride and a bike that’s fun and reliable to ride.

Upright posture

As a heavy rider, start with a bike that sits you upright or nearly upright. It’s not always necessary, but it’s the most comfortable and accessible starting point—and often gets overlooked.

If you carry a lot of weight in your stomach and thighs, then not only is leaning forward uncomfortable, but it may cause hip and back issues as it forces your knees out to the side. That rules out most road bikes (which have a characteristically deep forward lean) as well as many (but not all) hybrid bikes and MTBs.

Upright city, commuter, and cruiser bikes avoid this problem, since your thighs never come close enough to your belly to cause issues. Whatever your physique, these styles bring a couple other benefits as well:

  • They tend toward the sturdier side. Many are designed for reliable daily transportation with substantial cargo, which makes them terrific bikes for heavy people, too.
  • They’re easier for tall riders to fit. Whereas a road bike typically comes in several sizes that require a precise fit, city bikes (and the like) come in just a few sizes with forgiving geometry and ample adjustability.

Ideally, the posture is upright off the shelf. If not, you can also replace the stem with a taller one and swap the bars for a more upright and swept-back option.

All told, upright bikes aren’t just a lesser, makeshift option. They’re the norm for everyday use in most places with strong cycling cultures. And even as a slim rider, they’re my first choice for everyday use.

Sturdy wheel construction

Wheels are the most common point of failure, even for average-weight riders. Look for double-wall alloy rims with at least 32 rear spokes and 28 front spokes (ideally 36 and 32).

Balanced spoke tension is the key to a strong wheel. The process of evening out the tension is called “truing” the wheel. Have a bike shop do so before your first ride (most will have done it during unboxing) and consider bringing it in for truing a few times per year thereafter—or more often, if the wheel looks or feels asymmetrical as it spins.

If possible, choose 27.5″/650B or even 26″ wheels instead of the typical 29″/700C. Smaller diameter means greater strength and stiffness, less frequent truing, and a lower likelihood of flat spots in the rims. They’re also more nimble at low speeds, and slightly quickly to accelerate thanks to reduced weight.

Hand-built wheels with wide-gauge, triple-butted spokes are generally the strongest and most durable. They’re also costly to build, and basically non-existent off the shelf. Consider them as a potential upgrade if you keep breaking spokes despite regular truing and a sufficient (32+) spoke count.

Powerful brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes are generally the most powerful kind, so I highly recommend them on bikes for big guys and gals.

More weight means more momentum, which means more force needed to stop. You can get sufficient force out of rim or mechanical disc brakes, but it requires significantly more hand strength. Better still, hydraulic discs remain equally powerful when wet, require little maintenance, and enjoy long pad life with easy replacement.

Eight-inch and even larger rotors are available on certain mountain bikes, but 6″ rotors are fine for anyone who’s not bombing down mountainsides.

Other brake considerations

If rim brakes are the only brake type available on a bike you otherwise like, then look for V-brakes (also known as linear pull brakes). They have the greatest mechanical advantage of any type of rim brake, and generally outperform entry-level mechanical discs.

If you go the route of a traditional Dutch bike, then you’ll probably encounter hub brakes. They lack the raw power of good front and rear disc brakes, but are still effective at typical city riding speeds.

Low gearing

Getting a large body going requires a lot of force. You can do it through raw pedaling power—that’s the hard way—or through lower gearing that provides higher torque.

While three speeds are usually enough for city bikes, go for 7+ unless you’re in a totally flat place. Seven speeds ensure a fairly low gear already, and you can always swap the front chainring to fine-tune the gear range.

Truly hilly cities—think San Francisco or parts of Seattle—call for wide range via 8-speed hub gears or a double front chainring.

Steel or aluminum frame material

Frame material alone doesn’t determine weight capacity. The size, shape, and thickness of tubing is far more important. For instance, a carbon mountain bike is designed to take a beating, and its high weight capacity makes a steel road bike seem downright delicate.

For cost and manufacturing reasons, steel and aluminum frames are the norm. Many of them are extremely robust, and all are more cost-effective than (sturdy) carbon fiber.

That said, most of the sturdiest cargo and utility bikes use a durable steel frame. It’s a classic for a reason. Unlike carbon fiber, steel is not brittle, so it gracefully handles knocks and bumps (and can even be repaired). And unlike aluminum, a steel frame doesn’t have a fatigue limit, so it can theoretically last forever if well cared for.

A step-through frame?

If swinging your leg over the saddle poses an issue, then look for a bike with a step-through frame. It also makes mounting and dismounting a breeze when you’ve got cargo attached to a rear rack.

(Historically, these have been called “women’s” bikes, although it’s simply a practical choice that many men—including me—prefer for urban riding.)

A non-obvious reason to consider a cargo bike

If you plan on carrying large amounts of cargo (e.g., 50+ lbs), then cargo bikes are a no-brainer. Weight limit aside, their handling and components are optimized for stability and maneuverability under several hundred pounds of load.

But there’s another reason: cargo bikes have some the burliest wheelsets you’ll find off the rack. If that’s been a problem with conventional bikes, and you’re not keen on the posture or style of brands like Zize or Worksman, then cargo bikes solve a lot of problems.

Which to pick? That deserves its own article, but in my very limited testing, it’s hard to go wrong with entry-level models from companies like Yuba and Tern. They’re unexpectedly spritely and immensely practical. They’re also cost-prohibitive if you’re not sure cycling is for you, but on the flip side, they’re built to serve as a lifelong car alternative.

Do electric bikes make more sense for big riders?

They absolutely do. If the effort of cycling feels daunting, then e-bikes are the best way to overcome that obstacle and simply get moving in a fun way. You should expect significantly less range than reported, since most range tests use riders of roughly average adult weight. All the component and posture guidelines in this article apply to e-bikes, too.

If you’re worried that an electric bike would undermine your fitness goals, then let me put your mind at rest. Not only has research found that e-bikes are terrific exercise, but you can always dial the assistance up or down to whatever level of exertion you prefer.

Tips & upgrades that heavy cyclists should consider

Ergonomic grips

The more weight your hands bear, the more your choice of grips will affect your comfort. The best ergonomic grips can make a world of difference for a modest cost—and can even be transferred to other bikes in the future.

A supportive saddle

Squishy saddles may feel nice, but they transform into a chafing, cumbersome nuisance after a few miles. Instead, look for a firm and supportive surface, just enough width to support your sit bones, and (for upright bikes) asprung saddle frame to take the edge off impacts.

I’m a huge fan of Brooks saddle for general riding. Their B33 and B135 are designed especially for heavy riders; just note that they require a specific seatpost, so check with a bike shop if you’re unsure about compatibility.

If discomfort persists, then check out this guide to bike saddle pain for some other potential causes and solutions.

Regular bearing care

Almost every moving part on your bicycle uses bearings. They have a finite lifespan, which gets shorter as the rider gets heavier. Hub and headset bearings take a pounding in particular, since they’re never not bearing weight. How long they last is hard to call. Quality, alignment, and weather conditions—not to mention your weight and riding style—can affect their longevity by an order of magnitude.

A burlier rear wheel

I mentioned wheel quality earlier, but it’s worth reiterating. Rear wheels in particular take an absolute beating: not just the hub bearings (see above) but the rims themselves. After all, they bear most of your weight, most of the time.

Wheels don’t need to be expensive, but they do need to have a high number of wide spokes (36+ and perhaps 14-gauge or wider) and some attentive truing before their maiden voyage.